Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I would like to make a couple of observations. It is not just that I am sympathetic, I am fully appreciative of the points that Deputy Brophy has made. We are scheduled to take the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill next week. I appreciate Deputy O'Callaghan recrafting his position as of last week, that we would target that Bill. There is the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill that we are all anxious to see enacted to provide for ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, and there is also consensus that we target it. This committee is absolutely intent on facilitating the passage of all of these.

I understand and appreciate the point made about demonstrating the degree of our vexation, but I get the sense that we are making a mistake if we look at ourselves in isolation as the Select Committee on Justice and Equality. I am thinking of the Taoiseach's reply on the floor of the Dáil yesterday. Some 140 Private Members' Bills are now queued up. My understanding is that 13 - that is almost 10% - of those are relevant to this committee. There are a number of other committees, and this situation is presenting in them. We need to exercise much greater leverage than even what has been contemplated here about targeting an individual Bill.

I suggest that the committee would agree the following.

Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, in his last contribution, said that we would not have to make the decision today vis-à-viswhat he proposed regarding the judicial appointments Bill. A special meeting of the working group of committee chairs should be convened. As Chairman of this committee, I would contact Deputy Jim Daly on the committee's behalf to convene a special meeting of the working group of committee chairs. This should not involve the justice committee on its own as this issue is systemic within these institutions. It is not particular to ourselves and it is happening across the board. The Taoiseach's reply yesterday indicated that perhaps a sum of money should be set aside in order to allow for a certain number of Private Members' Bills to get through the process. A figure of €100 million was cited, if I remember correctly, as I was in the Chamber. I understand a figure of €12 million was referenced by the Taoiseach with respect to Deputy Daly's Bill in his reply. He was quite definitely across the detail of this Bill.

I add this in a slightly jocund way and I am sure Deputy Daly will check the blacks. I note Deputy Martin referenced our Coroners Bill and, having seen that Deputy Daly was not in the Chamber, I said he was a lucky man.